Modular housing structure

ABSTRACT

A MODULATOR SRUCTURE SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR USE AS PORTABLE SCHOOL ROOMS COMPRISES AT LEAST TWO MODULAR END SECTIONS, EACH HAVING A STEEL FRAMEWORK CONSISTING OF A BASE FRAME, CORNER POSTS SECURED TO THE BASE FRAME, A ROOF FRAME SECURED TO THE CORNER POSTS, PREFABRICATED, NON-LOAD BEARING SIDE AND END WALLS, AND CLAMPING MEANS ADAPTED TO MECHANICALLY CLAMP THE ADJACENT INNER EDGES OF THE TWO MODULAR END SECTION ROOF FRAMES, THUS TO BUTT THE INNER SIDE OF THE ADJACENT BASE FRAMES AND THE ADJACENT INNER CORNER POSTS TIGHTLY TOGETHER SUCH THAT THE SECTION ROOFS, FLOORS AND SIDE WALLS WILL BE JOINED TO PROVIDE AN INTEGRAL STRUCTURE. EACH MODULAR SECTION IS SPECIALLY ADAPTED TO BE PLANT FABRICATED AND TRANSPORTED TO THE SITE AND THERE HOISTED ONTO A PERPHERAL FOUNDATION. THE MODULATE STRUCTURES ARE DESIGNED SUCH THAT AN OPEN-SPAN RELOCATABLE STRUCTURE IS FORMED AND CONSTRUCTION TOLERANCES ARE MADE NOT CRITICAL WITHOUT SACRIFICING STRUCTURAL RIGIDITY AND WEATHER-TIGHTNESS. A DIAGONAL FRAMING MEMBER IS PROVIDED TO ALLOW THE MODULE PERIMETER TO OVERHANGE THE FOUNDATION. HORIZONTAL PLATES ARE WELDED TO ONE MODULE FOR SUPPORTING A SIDE OF THE OTHER. OTHER FEATURES INCLUDE TUBULAR POSTS CONCEALING THE DOWNSPOUTS, INSET BEAMS FOR EASE OF WALL CONSTRUCTION, STEEL POCKETS FOR RECEIVING FOUNDATION POSTS, AND THE USE OF REINFORCING RODS WELDED TO THE STEEL STRUCTURE AT CRITICAL STRESS POINTS TO INCREASE THE STRENGTH AND RIGIDITY OF THE STEEL.

Sept. 20, 1971 w. s. BOWERS MODULAR HOUSING STRUCTURE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed June 5, 1969 9 WILLIAM S. BOWERS INVENTOR. BY mw ATTORNEYS p 1971w. s. BOWERS 3,605,350

MODULAR HOUSING STRUCTURE Filed June 5, 1969 5 t s 2 m i k m. Q

w @F NN E27 v6 7? 42 8 w WILLIAM s. aqyqsns l\\ INTOR ATTORNEYS p 20,1971 w. s. BOWERS 3,605,350

MODULAR HOUSING STRUCTURE Filed June 3. 1969 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 WILLIAM S.BOWERS INVENTOR.

ATTORNE Y5 P 20, 1971 w. s. BOWERS 3,605,350

MODULAR HOUSING STRUCTURE IO 05 IO wu um s. aowsns INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS P 20, 197'i w. s. BOWERS 3,605,350

MODULAR HOUSING STRUCTURE Filed June 3, 1969 v 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 20 I6484 9O 8O 84 8O 9O lF'lIG. 110 I FIG 115 WILLIAM s. aowsns 2O INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS BY v United States Patent 01 ice 3,605,350 MODULAR HOUSINGSTRUCTURE William Stewart Bowers, 22800 76th W., Edmonds, Wash. 98020Filed June 3, 1969, Ser. No. 829,887 Int. Cl. E04b 1/348 US. CI. 52-1617 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A modular structure specificallydesigned for use as portable school rooms comprises at least two modularend sections, each having a steel framework consisting of a base frame,corner posts secured to the base frame, a roof frame secured to thecorner posts, prefabricated, non-load bearing side and end walls, andclamping means adapted to mechanically clamp the adjacent inner edges ofthe two modular end section roof frames, thus to butt the inner side ofthe adjacent base frames and the adjacent inner corner posts tightlytogether such that the section roofs, floors and side walls will bejoined to provide an integral structure. Each modular section isspecially adapted to be plant fabricated and transported to the site andthere hoisted onto a peripheral foundation. The modular structures aredesigned such that an open-span relocatable structure is formed andconstruction tolerances are made not critical without sacrificingstructural rigidity and weather-tightness. A diagonal framing member isprovided to allow the module perimeter to overhang the foundation.Horizontal plates are welded to one module for supporting a side of theother. Other features include tubular posts concealing the downspouts,inset beams for ease of wall construction, steel pockets for receivingfoundation posts, and the use of reinforcing rods welded to the steelstructure at critical stress points to increase the strength andrigidity of the steel.

This invention relates to modular housing structures which arefabricated in modular sections that can be transported to a site andjoined together on site to provide a completed building. Moreparticularly, this invention relates to structures of the type whereinthe joined sections are relocatable, that is, may be detached andtransported to another site.

Due to a combination of increasing construction costs and rapidlyexpanding school age populations, school districts are finding itincreasingly difficult to meet school room requirements. So-calledtemporary classrooms, fabricated from wood have been employed for yearsto meet the need. Such structures, however, are usually relativelyexpensive unless fabricated in the unattractive barracks style, andfurthermore such structures are not portable and therefore cannot berelocated to meet changing school district needs. The requirement ofportability has been only partially met by the school districtsutilizing house trailer structures inasmuch as house trailer structuresdo not possess sufiicient durability, rigidity and versatility tojustify their expense on any basis other than emergency school needs.

From the standpoint of school districts, so-called portable school roomsshould embody a versatile design that permits on-site assembly into avariety of floor plans at reasonable cost, and should be sufiicientlydurable and transportable that they can be moved to other sites as roomrequirements change.

The above objects are met by the present invention which comprises inits broadest form a relocatable modular structure suitable for schoolrooms, homes, etc. having an interior open-span, that is no interiorload bearing walls, and that is of sufficient structural strength that3,605,350 Patented Sept. 20, 1971 two such modular structures may bejoined or spanned to increase the interior, open-span floor space.Another broad concept of the invention is to provide two relocatable,open-span modular buildings each having a completely integral structuralframe unit which when combined together derives strength from each toincrease the overall structural strength of the combined unit.

A more specific feature of the invention includes combining two or moremodular building units, each having an integral structural frame bysupporting one from the other so that leveling of one end of eachsuccessive unit is automatically accomplished by supporting directlyfrom the preceding unit.

Another feature of the invention is to employ on a relocatable buildinghaving an integral frame structure additional frame members that spanthe corners of rigid end and side beams to allow placement of thebuilding on inaccurate foundations and/or foundations of dimensions lessthan the building perimeter.

Still another feature is to incorporate on a relocatable building havinga rigid base frame structure a plurality of integral pockets which allowplacement of the building on foundation posts and thus provide a highstrength, easily detached connection with the foundation posts.

Other features of the invention are to provide laborsaving constructiontechniques that uniquely improve the appearance of a building, such as,a rigid, integral-frame, relocatable building. One such feature employstubular post members which house, and thus conceal, the conventionaldown-spouts from a roof. Another such feature provides roof beams insetfrom vertical posts so that lsjidewall construction can be placedoutside of the roof eam.

Still another feature is the use of reinforcing rods placed at criticalstress points on an integral steel frame, relocatable building so thatgreater rigidity and strength are obtained without a substantialincrease in the overall weight of the building.

These and other objects and advantages will become apparent from thefollowing description and the accom panying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary single room school buildingembodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a modular half section of the FIG. 1structure;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the floor assembly of the FIG. 2 structure;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are detail views of the floor assembly taken along thelines 44 and 55 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the roof assembly of the FIG. 2 structure;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are detail views of the roof assembly taken along thelines 7-7 and 8-8 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a segmented vertical cross section along the line 9-9 of FIG.2 depicting the structure of the two joined modular sections;

FIG. 10 is a segmented horizontal cross section along the line 1010 ofFIG. 2 depicting structure of two joined modular sections;

FIG. 11 is a top plan roof detail view, partially in section, furtherdepicting the corner roof detail;

FIG. 12 is a vertical cross section of a downspout detail taken alongthe line 1212 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an exemplary modular section roofjoining clamp;

FIG. 14 is a perpendicular detail view of an exemplary roofassembly-to-corner post joint;

FIG. 15 is a vertical exterior elevation view of an exemplary sidewallframework;

FIG. 16 is a vertical exterior elevation view of an exemplary endwallframework; and

FIG. 17 is a schematic illustration of a typical tunnel incorporatedinto a building structure.

In brief, a preferred form of relocatable building structure having arigid integral frame, particularly a modulartype building, comprises twoopen-sided prefabricated modular end sections, each having two end wallsand a side wall, a roof and a floor. The modular sections are designedto be connected at their open sides with their respective side walls,roof and floor edges in abutment to provide an enclosed, open-span floorarea equal to the sum of their individual floor areas. Alternately, oneor more intermediate sections or tunnels having two end walls, a roofand a floor may be positioned between the modular sections to enlargethe enclosed, open-span floor area. Such intermediate sections also maybe prefabricated in modules of a unit size equal to the modular endsections.

Each modular end section comprises an integral steel frame formed of asteel base frame and a steel roof frame supported from the base frame byfour steel posts attached to the base frame corners. A fioor is mountedon the base frame. End walls and an outer side wall are supported on thefloor and connected to the roof frame. Both the base frame and the roofframe comprise parallel inner and outer side beams joined together by aplurality of parallel cross beams. The inner and outer beams are ofsteel. Preferably the cross beams are also of steel; however, the crossbeams may be of wood. The base frame cross beams are sized such thatsub-flooring may be carried by the cross beams with the sub-flooring topsurface being flush with the top of the base frame side beams. The roofframe cross beams are sized such that subroofing may be carried by thecross beams with the subroofing top surface being above the top of theroof frame side beams. As a result of this construction, the flooringcan be laid on top of the base frame side beams and the roofing can belaid above the roof frame side beams such that two modular sections canbe positioned adjacent to one another to form an enclosed structure withtheir respective inner base and roof side beams at the same elevationand with their respective flooring and roofing in edgeto-edge adjacency.Also as a result of this construction, the respective roof frame innerside beams of two adjacent modular sections can be mechanically joinedtogether from below without disrupting the integrity of the roofing atthe roof joint. The roof frame is assembled in a manner that permits allsidewall and endwall framing to be pre-fabricated in equal heights withreasonable dimensional tolerance variations. The steel frameworkconsisting of base, roof and posts provide a rigid frame structure thateliminates any requirement for the end and side walls to be loadbearing, and also provides an integral structure that can be hoisted fortransport and for placement on a foundation without structural damage tothe frame or to the wall structures, and without requiring special baseor roof reinforcing to obtain alignment with adjacent modular framestructures.

Referring now to FIGS. 2-5 and 9, the steel base frame for the modularend section depicted comprises parallel horizontal inner and outer steelchannel side beams 12 and 14 positioned on edge and opening outward, anda plurality of horizontal steel channel intermediate cross beams 16positioned on edge that extend between the side beams and are filletwelded to the vertical bases of the side beams in such a position thatthe bottom side of beams 12, 14 and 16 are flush. The ends of the innerside beam 12 are fillet welded to the sides of rectangular verticaltubular steel inner corner posts 1818 such that the outer edges of beam12 are flush with the respective outer edges of inner corner posts 1818and such that the bottom side of beam 12 and the bases of posts 1818 arefiush. The ends. of the outer side beam 14 are fillet welded to thesides of rectangular vertical tubular steel outer corner posts 2020 suchthat the outer edges of beam 14 are inset slightly from the adjacentouter edges of outer corner posts 2020 and such that the bottom side ofbeam 14 and the bases of posts 2020 are flush. Two outer horizontalsteel channel cross beams 2222, identical to beams 16, are positioned onedge, opening outward, between the inner and outer posts and filletwelded to the sides of the respective posts 18 and 20 such that theouter edge of one end of each beam 22 is flush with the outer edge ofthe adjacent inner corner post 18, such that the inner edge at the otherend of each beam 22 is flush with the inner edge of the adjacent outercorner post 20, and such that the bottom side of each beam 22 and thebases of the adjacent posts 18 and 20 are flush. Corner beams 24,identical to beams 16 and 22, are fillet welded to the vertical bases ofthe adjacent end portions of beams 12, 22 and 14, 22 on the bias asshown in FIG. 3. The corner beams provide supports for resting themodular section on a foundation of dimensions out of true with those ofthe base frame or of dimensions smaller than the inside perimeter of thebase frame.

The sub-flooring matrix 26 is applied to the base frame 10 preparatoryto flooring the base frame. This matrix consists of a plurality ofrectangular wood stringers 28 laid across the cross beams 16 and 22 atequispaced intervals parallel to the side beams 12 and 14, and aplurality of rectangular wood spacers 30 overlaid on the cross beams andtoenailed to the stringers. The cross beams are of a vertical widthrelative to the vertical side beam width such that the top surface ofthe sub-flooring matrix will be coplanar to the top surface of the sidebeams 12 and 14. Flooring 32 in sheet form, such as plywood, is appliedto the sub-flooring matrix and nailed thereto. The flooring overlaps theside beams and is secured thereto by suitable means such as expansionbolts 34 as depicted in FIG. 4. By securing the flooring sheets to thesub-flooring matrix and to the side beams, the sub-flooring positionwill be maintained even though not itself directly secured to the baseframe. This construction greatly simplifies fabrication of the modularstructure floor while permitting use of a wood sub-flooring as a cushionbetween the flooring and the steel base frame. In the preferred form ofthe invention, the base frame width, from side beam to side beam, issome multiple of two feet and its length, from end cross beam to endcross beam, is some multiple of four feet and the cross beams are spacedfour feet on centers. Thus, by spacing the wood stringers 28 two feet oncenters, 4 x 8 foot plywood sheet flooring may be applied to thesub-flooring rapidly and efficiently. To increase fiooring tosub-flooring rigidity, the plywood sheets are staggered as shown in FIG.3. At the corner posts, the corner plywood sheets will be notched to fitagainst the two inner sides of the adjacent posts. It has been foundthat dimensional lumber having a nominal 2 x 4 inch section laid on faceis desirable for use as the stringers 28 and spacers 30, and that aplywood thickness of one inch is desirable for the flooring 32. Asuitable floor covering such as carpeting may be installed over theplywood following assembly to a complete structure.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 6-9, 11 and 14 the steel roof frame for themodular end section depicted comprises parallel horizontal inner andouter steel I side beams 52 and 54 positioned on edge, and a pluralityof horizontal steel channel intermediate cross beams 56 positioned onedge between the side beams and are fillet welded to the vertical websof the side beams. The ends of the outer side beams are each filletwelded to one side of an angle bracket 58, the other side of which iswelded to one of the inner sides of the adjacent outer post 20 such thatthe outer side beam 54 is inset inwardly of the outer posts 30-30 andsuch that the top of beam 54 is flush with the top of outer posts 2020.The outer side beam is slightly shorter than the distance between theopposing sides of the outer posts 2020. The ends of the inner side beams52 are fillet welded to the sides of the inner posts 1818 such that thetop of beam 52 is flush with the top of inner posts 1818. Two outerhorizontal steel channel cross beams 60-60 identical to beams 56, arepositioned on edge inwardly of the adjacent ends of beams 52-54 andfillet welded to the vertical webs of beams 52-54 such that the outerside edges of beams 60- 60 are clear of the transverse space between thecorner posts 18-20 at each end of the modular end structure.

A sub-roofing matrix 62 is applied to the roof frame preparatory toroofing the roof frame. This matrix consists of several prefabricatedwooden ladders laid across the cross beams 56 and 60. Each ladderconsists of a pair of horizontal stringers 64-64 and a plurality ofequi-spaced horizontal trasverse rails 66 nailed to the stringers 64-64.The ladders are individually laid on the cross beams and laterallyretained by upstanding tabs 67 welded to the cross beams 56-60. Theadjacent ladder stringers then are nailed together. The cross beams 56and 60 are of vertical width and positioned relative to the side beams52-54 that the top surface of the subroofing matrix will be above thetop surface of the side beams 52-54. Roofing 68 in sheet form, such asplywood, is applied to the sub-roofing matrix and nailed thereto. Theroofing extends to the outer edges of the side beams 52-54. All of theladders preferably are provided in four foot widths to accommodate 4 x 8foot plywood sheet roofing, except one which is of a width necessary tofit the remaining transverse roof frame width. Since the strongers 64extend above the side beams 52-54, wood filler blocks 70 are positionedbetween the outermost stringers and the vertical web of the side beams,as shown in FIG. 7. The sub-roofing matrix is secured to the roof frameby bolts 72 extended through the outermost stringers, the filler blocks70 and the web of the adjacent side beam. It has been found thatdimensional lumber having a nominal 2 x 4 inch section laid on edge isdesirable for use as the stringers 64 and rails 66, and that a plywoodthickness of one-half inch is desirable for the roofing 68.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 9-11 and 15-16, the wall end and side wallframeworks 80 and 82 of the modular end structure comprises a luralityof vertical wooden studs 84 nailed to wooden top and base plates 86 and'88. The studs are of equal floor-to-roof lengths and the plates are ofa length slightly less than the spacing between the corner posts withinwhich the respective walls are to be installed. The frameworks areprefabricated and the exterior siding 90 therefore is applied before thewalls are installed as shown in FIG. 10. The studs and plates arepreferably cut from dimensional lumber having a 2 x 4 inch nominalsection and the siding is preferably provided in the form ofarchitecturally surfaced plywood panels. As the studs are positionedexterior to the end beam 54, for example, the length of the studs neednot be tailored to critical lengthwise dimension and thus thefabrication of a sidewall is greatly simplified.

The prefabricated end walls are installed with the plate outer edgesflush with the outer surface of the inner posts 18 such that the innerend of the end wall siding can be extended across the outer side of therespective inner post and butted against the outer posts as shown inFIG. 10. The prefabricated side wall is installed with the plate outeredges inset from the outer surfaces of the outerposts 20 such that theends of the side wall siding can be abutted against the outer posts asshown in FIG. 10. The end wall plates are secured to the floor bynailing to the flooring 32 and to the roof by nailing and boltingthrough the horizontal steel flanges 92 welded to the corner posts 18-20or to the corner brackets '58 at the proper height. The side wall platesare secured to the floor by nailing to the floor 32 and to the roof bynailing through horizontal steel flanges 94 welded to the top of theouter side beam 54 at the proper height. If the outer side beam 54 isnot inset from the outer corner by a distance at least equal to thewidth of the side wall studs, the upper ends of these studs must benotched as shown in FIG. 9 to enable the side wall to be verticallyaligned. As required or desired any of the walls can be provided withdoorways or window openings as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 15.

The corner posts 18-20 at one end of the modular end structure depictedare longer than the posts at the outer end so that the roof structurewill be sloped. The slope should be suflicient to ensure proper drainagetoward the lowerroof end. To accommodate the slope, the side wall isprovided with a tapered top wooden filler 96 to which the flanges 94 aresecured. Also, the end Wall to be positioned at the higher end isprovided with one or more top wooden fillers 98 to which theirrespective flanges 92 are secured.

To stiffen the steelwork of the modular unit depicted, a vertical steelrod 100 is positioned within the side wall and welded under tension tothe outer roof and base side beams. If the side wall studs are notched,the notch may serve to position the outer roof side beam 54 when the rod100 is welded. Also, the roof inner side beam 52. is bowed upwardly toprovide a slight concave chamber and a top steel bar 102 and is weldedto the top flange of the beam to hold the chamber. Steel rods 104 arealso welded to the inner roof beam web at critical stress points toimpart added strength and stiffness. The base inner side beam 12 is alsopreferably stiffened by a steel rod 106 welded against its verticalbase.

Upon assembly of the modular end structure as above described, theinterior and underside of the structure is sprayed with a urethane forminsulant 120, depicted in FIG. 10 but excluded from the other figuresfor clarity.

When two modular end structures are to be joined to provide a completestructure such as shown in FIG. 1, a perimeter concrete foundation ispoured sufficient to accommodate the two structures. Preferably, theperimeter foundation will be inset slightly from the sides of thecompleted structure to reduce the dimensional criticality thereof suchthat the edges of the completed structure will be supported through thecorner base beams 24 of the modular end structure as shown in FIG. 3.Also, concrete foundation posts 152 will be poured to support the baseinner side beam 12 of each modular end structure as shown in FIG. 9. Inthe event that a perimeter foundation is not employed, tubularfoundation retainers or pockets 153 are welded to the base frame outerside beams for receipt of foundation posts. Each pocket includes a topwall 153a against which a post may be abutted. An important aspect ofthe pockets is that they hold the foundation post securely with failureoccurring only through complete shearing of the post.

To assemble the two modular end units together, each unit is separatelyhoisted onto the foundation and positioned closely to the final positiondesired. The first such unit to be positioned is provided withhorizontal flanges or plates 154 welded to the underside of its baseouter beam 12 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 9 and adapted to receive the outerbeam '12 of the other unit to ensure that the bases of the two unitswill mate correctly at their respective inner edges. In addition, theplates allow simplification of the leveling procedure for successivelyjoined modular sections. Once the first modular section is leveled thenext modular section is automatically leveled at one end due to itsbeing supported by the first. This procedure is carried out for theentire building with only the free end of each section requiringleveling. An inner roof beam clamp 156 will be applied to the adjacentbeams 52-52 and tightened to draw the two beams together as shown inFIG. 9. This beam clamp .156 includes, as shown in FIG. 13, a top plate158 of sufficient width to contact the top flanges of both beams 52-52and a centered rectangular wedge 160 depending from plate 158 whichspaces the top flanges of the beams 5 2- 52, a base plate 162 of a widthgreater than the widths of the bottom flanges of the beams 52-52 havinga pair of lateral stops 163, and a pair of vertical bolts 164-164inserted through the plates 158-162 at each end and threaded at theirbottom ends. The lower flanges of the beams 52-52 are also clampedbetween the end nuts of the bolts 164-164 and nuts. A horizontal bolt166 is inserted through the webs of the beams 52-52 between the verticalbolts 164-164. The clamp top plate 158 including bolts 164-164 is firstpositioned, the nuts are installed, and the base plate 162 is insertedover bolts 164--164 and the bolt end nuts applied. Then bolt 166 isinserted through the beam webs and tightened to draw the top flanges ofbeams 52-52 tightly against the wedge 160 and then bolts 164-164 aretightened to draw the clamp plates 158-162 tightly against the flangesof beams 52-52 and against the nuts 165. Because the beams 52-52 areinset slightly from the inner edges of their respective inner cornerposts 18, tightening of the beam clamp 156 will cause the adjacent innercorner plates 18-18 to be drawn tightly together and also cause theadjacent inner base beams 12-12 to be drawn tightly together, resultingin the inner edges of the flooring 32-32, the roofing 68-68, and the endwall siding 90-90 to be drawn together tightly. The adjacent innercorner posts 18-18 will be covered by the siding such that the centerend wall joint will be completely masked. The abutting inner posts 18are preferably spot welded together. A suitable waterproof roofingmaterial \160, such as asbestos felt overlaid by Du Ponts Tedlarsheeting is applied to the roofing 68-68 and folded over and down ontothe upper edge portion of the siding. Facia boards 62 are then appliedaround the top periphery of the siding to cover the roofing material160', to mask the roof slope, to prevent water from pouring over theroof edges, and to complete the appearance of the completed structure.If desired, framing lumber 163 can be fastened to brackets 165 on theinner faces of base frame beams 22-22 and 14 to depend therefrom toprovide railing strips for the application of peripheral skirt siding167. The skirt siding will serve to make the foundation underpinnings ofthe completed structure.

A preferred feature of the present invention is the utilization of oneor more of the outer corner posts 20 as a downspout as shown in FIGS.-12. To this end, a plastic line 164 is inserted into a post andWater-tightly sealed at the top thereof and the waterproof roofingmaterial 160 is funneled into the post.

The interior panelling of the modular end structures may be installedeither prior to assembly of the structures into a completed unit orafter such assembly. To facilitate application of the interiorpanelling, horizontal chair rails 85 may be built into the walls duringtheir prefabrication. In the preferred construction of the invention,the inner posts 18-18 are preferably provided in the same width as theend wall studs such that the interior panelling will overlay the innerposts to mask the post-to-post joints.

Upon completion of the structural joinder of the two modular endstructures, a dropped ceiling assembly 200 can be suspended from theroof structure. Sufiicient space is provided between the roof beams andthe ceiling assembly for the necessary electrical and lighting apparatusand air conditioning ductwork.

Another embodiment of this invention is shown in FIG. 17 and can beprovided by incorporating an inter mediate unit or tunnel 205 betweenthe two modular end structures to expand the enclosed floor area of thecompleted structure. For such an embodiment, although conventionalspanning techniques may be employed, it is preferred that one or moreintermediate units be fabricated on the same modular basis as themodular end units. The base frame construction is substantially similarto that described above except that all four corner posts of eachintermediate section will be provided as inner corner posts and thejoinder thereto to the base frame beams will be identical to thatdescribed above in reference to the inner posts. Of particularimportance is the provision of the plates 154 on one side of the tunnelbase frame so that the next tunnel or end section may be easily leveledwith respect to the previous one. The roof frame construction issubstantially similar to that de scribed above except that the cornerpost joinder of the side beams will be identical to that described abovein reference to the inner corner posts. Between each intermediate unit,if there is more than one, and between the end units and theintermediate units, the adjacent roof frame side beams will be clampedtogether by mechanical clamps as described above.

When the modular units are to be separated the mechanical clamp orclamps 156 are unbolted and the spot welds along the adjacent innercorner posts are severed. The separate units may then be hoisted offtheir foundations for transport to another location.

It is believed that the invention will have been clearly understood fromthe foregoing detailed description of my now-preferred illustratedembodiment. Changes in the details of construction may be resorted toWithout departing from the spirit of the invention and it is accordinglymy intention that no limitations be implied and that the hereto annexedclaims be given the broadest interpretation to which the employedlanguage fairly admits.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A relocatable, open-span modular building structure which comprisesat least two modular sections having integral frameworks definingopen-span interiors, means joining said frameworks together, theframeworks of said sections each includes a pair of lower side beamshaving ends and a generally central portion, and wherein at least one ofsaid sections is provided with laterally extending plates secured to aside beam inwardly from the ends thereof for supporting the generallycentral portion of the side beam of the other section.

2. A relocatable open-span modular building structure which comprises atleast two modular sections having integral frameworks defining open-spaninteriors, each framework including generally rectangular base and roofframes having steel side beams and a plurality of cross beams extendingbetween and joining said side beams, steel corner posts mounted to thecorners of said base. and roof frames and supporting said roof frame, atunnel spanning said two modular sections to expand the open spaninterior of the building structure, said tunnel including a roof frame,a base frame and two opposed side walls, the tunnel roof frame alsoincluding steel side beams adjacent the respective steel side beams ofthe roof frames of said two modular sections, and means joining said twomodular sections and said tunnel together, said joining means includingbeam clamp means having a base plate abutting the bottom surfaces ofsaid adjacent side beams of said tunnel and modular section roofs, saidbase plate having laterally spaced stops extending upwardly alongsidesaid side beams, top plate means abutting the top surfaces of the sidebeams and a pair of fastening means interconnecting the top plate meansand the base plate whereby said adjacent side beams are held tightlytogether with the bottom surfaces of the side beams being restrictedagainst lateral movement by the stops.

3. The structure defined by claim 2 wherein one side of said tunnel baseframe includes a plurality of lateral plates for supporting an adjacentmodular section and the opposite adjacent modular section also includesa plurality of lateral plates for supporting said tunnel, said platesbeing spaced inwardly from the ends of the respective tunnel andadjacent modular section for supporting the generally central portion ofthe adjacent tunnel or modular section.

4. A relocatable, open-span modular building structure which comprisesat least two modular sections having integral frameworks definingopen-span interiors, means joining said frameworks together, eachframework including generally rectangular base and roof frames, eachhaving steel side beams and a plurality of cross beams extending betweenand joining said side beams, steel corner posts mounted to the cornersof said base and roof frames and supporting said roof frames, each ofsaid base frames including means spanning at least two corners of saidbase frame, foundation means below said base frame and spaced inwardlyof at least three sides of said base frame and engaging said spanningmeans for supporting said base frame a substantial distance in from theperimeter of said base frame whereby the base frame overhangs saidfoundation means to conceal at least a portion of the foundation means.

5. A relocatable, open-span modular building structure which comprisesat least two modular sections having integral frameworks definingopen-span interiors, means joining said frameworks together, eachframework including generally rectangular base and roof frames eachhaving steel side beams and a plurality of cross beams extending betweenand joining said side beams, steel corner posts mounted to the cornersof said base and roof frames and supporting said roof frames, each ofsaid base frames includes a plurality of vertical pockets for retaininga vertical wooden foundation post, said pockets each including aperipheral side wall integrally connected with a top wall whereby thevertical foundation posts may be received in said vertical pockets andabut-against said top wall and peripheral side wall so that the baseframe can move horizontally relative to said foundation posts only byshearing the foundation posts.

6. A relocatable, open-span modular building structure which comprisesat least two modular sections having integral frameworks definingopen-span interiors, means joining said frameworks together, eachframework including generally rectangular base and roof frames eachhaving side beams and a plurality of cross beams extending between andjoining said side beams, steel corner posts mounted to the corners ofsaid base and roof frames and supporting said roof frames, said sidebeams of said roof frame of each of said modular sections being insetwith respect to said corner posts and wherein side wall studs aresecured against the outer face of each of said side beams whereby theside wall studs are outside of the vertical confines of the steel sidebeams of said roof frame.

7. A relocatable, open-span modular building structure which comprisesat least two modular sections having integral frameworks definingopen-span interiors, means joining said frameworks together, eachframework including generally rectangular base and roof frames eachhaving steel side beams and a plurality of cross beams extending betweenand joining said side beams, steel corner posts mounted to the cornersof said base and roof frames and supporting said roof frames, furtherincluding stiffening rods welded to said steel side beams for increasingthe rigidity of said steel beams, and at least one vertical steel rodsecured in tension to each opposite outer roof and base side beamswhereby the outer roof and base side beams are drawn toward one anotherto form a rigid framework.

8. A relocatable, open-span modular building structure which comprisesat least two modular sections having integral frameworks definingopen-span interiors, each framework including generally rectangular baseand roof frames each having steel side beams and a plurality of crossbeams extending between and joining said beams, steel corner postsmounted to the corners of said base and roof frames and supporting saidroof frame, and means joining said frameworks together, said joiningmeans including beam clamp means joining adjacent side beams of saidroof frames, said beam clamp means including a base plate abutting thebottom surfaces of the side beams and of a width greater than thecombined width of the bottom surfaces of the side beams, said base platehaving a pair of laterally spaced stops extending upwardly alongsidesaid side beams, top plate means abutting the top surfaces of the sidebeams and a pair of fastening means interconnecting the top plate meansand the base plate whereby the two adjacent side beams are held tightlytogether with the bottom surfaces of the side beams being restrainedagainst lateral movement by the stops.

9. In a relocatable, open-span modular structure provided in at leasttwo sections which are adapted to be connected together on site, a firstopen-span modular section which comprises a rectangular steel base framehaving parallel side beams and a plurality of parallel cross beamsextending between and joining the side beams, steel corner posts mountedto the corners of said base and extending upwardly therefrom, arectangular steel roof frame mounted on the upper ends of said cornerposts and having parallel side beams and a plurality of cross beamsextending between and joining the side beams, a floor mounted on saidbase frame, a roof mounted on said roof frame, prefabricated first andsecond end walls positioned on said floor at opposite ends thereof andconnected to said roof frame; and a second modular section whichcomprises a rectangular steel base frame having parallel side beams anda plurality of parallel cross beams extending between and joining theside beams; steel corner posts mounted to the corners of said base andextending upwardly therefrom, a rectangular steel roof frame mounted onthe upper ends of said corner posts and having parallel side beams and aplurality of cross beams extending between and joining the side beams, afloor mounted on said base frame, a roof mounted on said roof frame,prefabricated first and second end walls positioned on said floor atopposite ends thereof and connected to said roof frame; and means forjoining the two sections along their inner sides when the respectiveroof and base side beams are positioned adjacent one another. 10. Thestructure of claim 9 wherein said section joinmg means comprises beamclamp means adapted to engage the adjacent roof side beams of the twomodular sections; and wherein the adjacent corner posts and base sidebeams of the first and second modular sections are drawn against oneanother in butting relation upon appli cation of said beam clamp meansto said adjacent roof beams.

11. The structure of claim 9 wherein each modular section is soconstructed that: the base frame side beam ends are each butted againstand joined to the side wall of an adjacent corner post, the base framecross beams are each butted against and joined to the side beams suchthat their topsides are coplanar and below the side beam topsides, andbase frame outer cross beams are provided with their ends each buttedagainst and joined to the sidewall of an adjacent corner post at rightangles to said side beams such that their topsides are coplanar with theintermediate cross beam topsides; and the floor comprises a sub-flooringmatrix of wood stringers laid across said cross beams parallel to saidside beams and wood spacers laid on said cross beams between saidstringers are fastened to said stringers, the topsides of said stringersand spacers being flush with said side beam topsides, and sheet flooringoverlaid on said sub-flooring matrix and on said side beams and fastenedto said sub-flooring matrix and to said side beams such that theadjacent inner sheet flooring edges of the two modular sections will bebutted together when the two moduar sections are joined.

12. The structure of claim 9 wherein each modular section is soconstructed that: the roof frame side beam ends are each joined to thesidewall of an adjacent corner post, and the roof frame cross beams areeach butted against and joined to the side beams such that theirtopsides are coplanar, the outermost cross beams being positioned inwardof the transverse space between the adjacent corner posts; and the roofcomprises a sub-roofing matrix of wood ladders laid across said crossbeams with adjacent ladder stringers fastened together, the topsides ofsaid ladders being above the topsides of said side beams, and sheetroofing overlaid on said sub-roofing matrix and fastened thereto andcantilevered over said side beams such that the adjacent inner sheetroofing edges of the two modular sections will be butted together whenthe two modular sections are joined.

13. The structure of claim 9 wherein each modular section is soconstructed that: the walls each comprise a wooden frameworkprefabricated in a height generally equal to the distance between saidfloor and the topside of said roof frame and in a width slightly lessthan the spacing between the corner posts within which the wall is to bepositioned, and exterior siding applied to the wooden framework suchthat inner corner posts will be covered by the siding when the twomodular sections are joined, the wooden framework being positioned onsaid floor in the space between the adjacent corner posts and fastenedto said floor; and fastening means mounted to the steel framework andextending into the space between corner posts and secured to the woodenframework to hold and stabilize the upper end of the wall.

14. The structure of claim 9 wherein each modular section is soconstructed that: the base frame side beam ends are each butted againstand joined to the sidewall of an adjacent corner post, the base framecross beams are each butted against and joined to the side beams suchthat their topsides are coplanar and below the side beam topsides, andbase frame outer cross beams are provided with their ends each buttedagainst and joined to the sidewall of an adjacent corner post at rightangles to said side beams such that their topsides are coplanar with theintermediate cross beam topsides; the floor comprises a sub-flooringmatrix of wood stringers and spacers laid on said crossbeams with thematrix topside coplanar with the side beam topsides, and sheet flooringoverlaid on said sub-flooring matrix and on said side beams and fastenedto said subfiooring matrix and to said side beams such that the adjacentinner sheet flooring edges of the two modular sections will be buttedtogether when the two modular sections are joined; the roof frame sidebeam ends are each joined to the sidewall of an adjacent corner post,and the roof frame cross beams are each butted against and joined to theside beams such that their topsides are coplanar; the walls eachcomprise a wooden framework prefabricated in a height generally equal tothe distance between said floor and the topside of said roof frame andin a width slightly less than the spacing between the corner postswithin which the wall is to be positioned, and exterior siding appliedto the wooden framework such that inner corner posts will be covered bythe siding when the two modular sections are joined, the woodenframework being positioned on said floor in the space between theadjacent corner posts and fastened to said floor, and fastening meansmounted to the steel framework and extending into the space betweencorner posts and secured to the wooden framework to hold and stabilizethe upper end of the wall; and the roof comprises a wood sub-roofingmatrix of wood laid on said cross beams with the subroofing matrixtopside being above the topsides of said side beams, sheet roofingoverlaid on said sub-roofing and fastened thereto and cantilevered oversaid side beams such that the adjacent inner sheet roofing edges of thetwo modular sections will be butted together when the two modularsections are joined; and waterproof roofing ma- 12 terial overlaying theroofs of the two modular sections when joined and extending over theperipheral edges of the joined roofs and secured to the upper ends ofthe exterior wall siding.

15. The structure of claim 14 wherein at least one of the corner postsis tubular and wherein a downspout liner is provided in such posts andwatertightly joined to said waterproof roofing material to provide aconcealed and protected roof drainage downspout.

16. The structure of claim 14 wherein said section joining meanscomprises beam clamp means adapted to engage the adjacent roof sidebeams of the two modular sections; and wherein the adjacent corner postsand base side beams of the first and second modular sections are drawnagainst one another in butting relation upon application of said beamclamp means to said adjacent roof beams.

17. The structure of claim 14 wherein said first modular section is anend section with said base side beams provided as one inner and oneouter side beam, said posts provided as two inner and two outer cornerposts, said roof side beams provided as one inner and one outer sidebeam; wherein the base inner side beam ends are joined to an innercorner post such that the outer edges of said inner base side beam areinset from the outer edges of said inner corner posts; wherein the endsof said roof outer side beam are joined to outer corner posts such thatthe outer edge of said roof outer side beam is inset from the inneredges of said outer corner posts to enable a prefabricated side wall toextend vertically upward alongside said roof outer side beam; andwherein said modular section joining means comprises a top clamp plateadapted to seat on top of the inner roof side beams to the two modularstructures and provide with a wedge adapted to space said inner roofside beams when the two modular structures are joined, first meansconnecting said inner roof side beams and adapted to draw them tightlyagainst said wedge, and second means adapted to engage the undersides ofsaid inner roof side beams and firmly clamp them to said top clampplate.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,048,938 12/1912 Broughton 52162,089,059 8/1937 Harley 5279 2,205,545 6/1940 Schmitt 52704X 2,217,18410/1940 Rugg et a1 52234 2,287,229 6/ 1942 Carpenter 5279 3,011,60112/1961 Perlin 52582X 3,397,494 8/ 1968 Waring 52-274X 3,461,633 8/1969Ziegelman et al. 52584X 3,470,657 10/ 1969 Irwin 5279X PRICE C. FAW,111., Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

